Credit: Matt West

STEP ON THE CLUTCH: Will Middlebrooks takes off for first after knocking in Stephen Drew and Jonny Gomes with a single in the fifth inning of the Red Sox’ 2-1 victory over the Tigers last night at Fenway Park.

All things considered, it was as big an out as Jon Lester has recorded all season.

And it was followed by Will Middlebrooks’ biggest hit in four months.

With the bases loaded, two outs and the Red Sox trailing by one run in the fifth inning, Lester fell behind in the count to Miguel Cabrera, which is akin to walking a tightrope without a safety net. But Lester eventually got the otherworldly Detroit Tigers slugger to hit into a fielder’s choice, bringing another non-sellout crowd at Fenway Park to its feet.

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